Sunday, August 19, 2012

Chicago and Paris

Willis (Sears) Tower 103 Floors Up

After John's trip to London during the Olympics, Camille had her turn by going with me to Paris. This was going to be a short trip (3 days total, with one day in Paris). Our first stop on the way to Paris was Chicago. We did normal tourists things - going to the top of the Willis (Sears) Tower, a walk down Michigan Ave., dinner at Carmine's. The weather was great and we did a lot of walking.

The next day, it was off to Paris. After a short nap at the hotel, we went straight to the Louvre and may have set a world's record for quickest walk through. Mona Lisa (check), Venus de Milo (check), Winged Victory, John the Baptist by Michelangelo, 100's of masterpieces in 1 hour (check). We'll go back with more time some day.

At the Louvre

Next, it was off to the Trocadero for an Eiffel Tower photo op. It was hot in Paris, Dallas hot, reminding me of the line in the song, "I love Paris in the summer, when it sizzles." The lines waiting to go to the top were long (and sizzling in the sun) and our time in Paris short, so we opted to keep moving.

Then, a walk through the Tuileries, Notre Dame, dinner in St. Germain des Pres, a sunset ferris wheel ride back at the Tuileries, and a Metro ride to the hotel, exhausted. Paris in a day is never easy, but we had a great time!